Here's Your Sign 2

Y’all know I talk about my twin sister and fellow romance author, Dani Wade, all the time. It’s hard not to when you are joined at the hip, so to speak. What you might not have realized yet is that Dani and I share a bit of an odd funny bone. Last year, while traveling in Ireland, we began taking pictures of signs that made us laugh—some because they were silly, some because, if you have dirty minds like ours (hey, we are romance writers, after all!), look highly or even blatantly suggestive. Needless to say we found plenty, and we shared them with you. (Along with running commentary, of course; what would be the fun without that? ;) ) Last week Dani and I took another trip, this time to Savannah, Georgia. Gorgeous! We had an awesome time wandering the city, but it wasn’t all serious history. No, the people of Savannah evidently have as quirky a sense of humor as those in Ireland, and guess what?  We brought back evidence of it too! Wanna see? Okay! Without further ado, I give you: Here’s Your Sign 2!

I'm SOOOO glad we got the CENSORED version!

Not a lot of good if it’s frayed, is it? O.o

As opposed to the sitting monk? The standing monk? The dancing monk?

This one speaks for itself, don't you think?

The sign says, "Late Church." It’s Southern Baptist! (If you’re Southern Baptist, you’ll get it; trust me… :p )

Well of course it’s my pie; I paid for it!

This one kinda stumped us. What happened here? Did Debi quit? Die? Did Laurie bump her off? Forget her name is actually Laurie before she had the sign made with her supposed name, Debi? "Debi doesn't live here anymore..."

Cara Bristol, Cherise Sinclair, Lexi Blake, and Kallypso Masters walk into a pizza parlor... :D :D :D

And last but not least, a gift for my Lucky 13 Golden Heart sisters, especially Bonnie Staring:

I certainly do need new cabana boys, and I'm willing to provide on-the-job training; just sayin’. *smirk*

I hope you guys have enjoyed this episode of "Here's Your Sign." :) If you want to see more of the funnies we saw in Savannah, walk your mouse over to HERE and click to visit Dani's page and the signs she's sharing. They'll provide even much more needed laughter for your Monday morning!

~ Ella

What I've Been Reading: Crazy For Her by Sandra Owens

Many of you know that I finalled in the RWA Golden Heart contest in 2013. While I didn't win, I did have the privilege of becoming part of a wonderful group of ladies (and fellow finalists) called the Lucky 13s. And one particular Lucky sister, Sandra Owens, has an awesome new contemporary romance with Montlake out that I just had to read: Crazy For Her. That he is in love with Dani Prescott, his best friend and SEAL teammate's wife, is a deep secret Logan Kincaid keeps close to his heart. On their last mission in Afghanistan, Evan Prescott is killed in battle. With his dying breath, Evan begs Logan to take care of his wife and child.

It's been close to two years since the death of her husband, and Dani Prescott is living in Asheville, North Carolina with her daughter Regan. When a stalker threatens, she turns to the most dangerous man she knows. Logan Kincaid.

There are many reasons why Logan believes he's not good enough for Dani. His secrets are as dark as the underside of a rock. The best thing he can do for her is catch the stalker and then get the hell out of her life.

Of course, when love is involved things have a way of not going as planned.

When I say Crazy For Her is awesome, I really mean, it was awesome!

That awesome starts with one word -- SEALs! As soon as I saw that Logan was a SEAL, I had to read this book. I mean, who doesn't love a SEAL hero? And Sandra doesn't disappoint. Logan is incredibly tough, surviving a horrendous childhood and watching the woman he loves marry his best friend, Evan. He lives through his friend's death and bears the burden of his guilt over the whole situation as only the strongest man could, with complete stoicism. And even though we're in Logan's thoughts and hear his tender side a bit, we never lose the feel that he is one tough you-know-what. ;)

Y'all know I'm totally hero focused when it comes to books, but Sandra's heroine is just right for Logan. Dani is strong in her own way. She's taken care of her baby by herself since her husband died in battle, she's gotten through horrific grief, but she's finally come up against an obstacle she can't overcome: a stalker who claims to be her dead husband. She needs Logan's help to keep her child safe. Even more important, she needs Logan for herself. The passion between the two sizzles with tension, and when they finally come together, it's not without a few surprises and the most satisfying use of an outdoor patio in the rain that I've ever encountered. ;)

But what's the absolute best part of Crazy for Her? The baby! Or more specifically, Logan with the baby. There's just something about a big, strong soldier cuddling a baby that just...melts your ovaries. :) And when we're in Logan's thoughts and he's watching Dani nurse her child? Gah! It's awesome. I also like that though Evan has died and some time has passed, there's not this sense that he's forgotten. When Dani sees Logan with her child, she can't help but grieve the fact that Evan will never get to hold their daughter. There is a good balance here between focusing on the relationship between Dani and Logan now and remembering the person both of them lost.

So, yes, I really did enjoy this book, and it's gotten some rave reviews as well (not just mine!). I would highly recommend checking it out here, and maybe some of Sandra's other books as well. She's pretty versatile, with historical romances alongside her contemporaries. Oh, and the sequel to Crazy For Her, coming out early next year. (Yay!)

~ Ella

The Golden Heart

I didn't win the Golden Heart Award. Though the fact makes me a little sad, I was included in a small but awesome group of authors who made the competition very tough, and I am happy for those who did win; they earned it, as did we all! The night of the awards ceremony was a thrill, let me tell you, so I thought I would share some pictures so you could share in the event with me. (Sorry the pictures are small -- darn technology! -- but if you click on them they blow up.)

The Lucky 13s (or at least the ones who could make it to Nationals. I was privileged to be a part of such a wonderful group. And below, my awesome sister and critique partner, Dani Wade, sharing a moment with me before the ceremony began.

Critique partner and friend extraordinaire, Gina L. Maxwell.

My name on the big screen. I'm sure it would've been an extraordinary feeling, except I was too nervous to pay attention! Thank goodness for Gina working the camera. :)

Author Christie Craig in her role as emcee. Hilarious!

And finally, on to the after party! We had a fabulous time dancing the night away.

As you can see, the glitz and glamor cannot be understated. I hope those of you who got to attend had a wonderful time, and for those who couldn't, may you get the chance in the future, maybe as a Golden Heart or Rita finalist yourself. :)

Guest Blog!

Come over and meet the rest of my GH sisters and find out why we love all things not the norm! Meet the 2013 Golden Heart Finalists in Paranormal Romance.

Guest Blog Alert!

I'm over at the Ruby Slippered Sisters today with my twin, Dani Wade, talking about our writing journeys, how we're alike, and how we're different. Check it out! RSS Welcomes GH Finalist Ella Sheridan...And Her Sister

The GH List Is Up!

Brag Alert!! RWA has released the "official" list of this year's Golden Heart finalists, the Lucky 13s -- pictures and all! Boy is it weird to see my name and the name of my book out in public like that, and with a picture too. :p You can see it on the RWA website HERE. Check it out! My fellow Lucky 13s are shown in all their glory too.  c;

Check this out!

My twin sis and fellow author, Dani Wade, has set up a get healthy challenge for the next 15 weeks. I plan to participate so I can prep for the Golden Heart ® ceremony in July and all those new people I'll be meeting. You can participate too—author, reader, couch rider, it doesn't matter to us! The point is to get up and go, and encourage each other as we do it. :) So hop on over to Dani's blog—here—and check it out. Today!

I Did It!

It is with much disbelief and thankfulness that I announce my very first paranormal, Unbroken, has finalled in the Golden Heart ® contest for RWA! Squeee!!! I am pinching myself all over! Thanks to Lori Handeland for calling me this morning and continuing to talk despite all my tears and blubbering. And thanks to Dani Wade and Gina L. Maxwell, my outstanding CPs, for all their help with the submission. You guys are invaluable! Love you!